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A Reader's Response to Betsy Frederick's 31 October 2002 SIGTel Bulletin article, "What is Telelearning?"

New Zealand Teacher Trainee Julie Ball sent the following response to Betsy Frederick's original article. Opinions expressed by Ms. Ball are her own unless otherwise noted.

Dear Betsy

I enjoyed reading your article titled "What is Telelearning?" I must admit I could not give Telelearning a clear definition of what it actually is and what it entails, but your article mentions "rich environments" and this made me curious to read on.

As a trainee teacher the importance of giving individuals "rich environments" to flourish in is extremely important, thus the importance to familarise and understand the concept of Telelearning needs to be fostered so that I may empower others to also go "beyond their comfort zones" and be challenged.

Your article has enlightened the concept to me in that Telelearning provides me with the challenge to become confident in using a variety of new resources to address the needs and opportunities that are evident in society. By seeing Telelearning as another form of communication that offers no physical barriers--but is a global connection where the exchange of ideas with others of different backgrounds, race, age, and gender--is indeed exciting.

As stated by Moonen (1997), "Telelearning relates to making connections among people and resources, via communication technologies, for learning-related purposes" I feel it is important to be prepared to face my "technophobia" fears and take up the challenge myself so that I can facilitate the learning through this medium called Telelearning.

Thanks for showing me the real face of Telelearning, the application of new information and communication technologies to increase the ways in which learning can take place.

Ka kite ano,

Julie Ball Second-year teacher trainee mfball@xtra.co.nz

Reference

Moonen, J. (1997). The efficiency of telelearning. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 1(2). Retrieved from the World Wide Web, 8 March 2003: www.aln.org/publications/jaln/v1n2/v1n2_moonen.asp.

To "What is Telelearning?"

To Reader Responses to "What is Telelearning?":

• From SIGTel Board member John Wenrich
• From SIGTel President Elect Nola Campbell
• From New Zealand teacher trainee Julie Ball
• From New Zealand teacher trainee Paula Murray